Ithala Development Finance Corporation - Generous Support For 'My Business Indaba" Workshop In Newcastle2017-05-09
The inaugural “My Business Indaba†two-day workshop held in Newcastle recently was enthusiastically supported by existing and prospective entrepreneurs who all took home valuable learnings.
“My Business Indaba†is an annual SMME development roadshow spearheadedby Ithala Development Finance Corporation comprising eight community workshops to take place at various venues across KwaZulu-Natal until July. “At a time when job creation for the youth and the need to promote inclusive growth are high on government’s agenda, we are here to lend our support to fulfil the transformation journey,†said Yvonne Zwane, Ithala Group Chief Executive. The KZN provincial development agency’s three flagship programmes â€" Inkunz’isematholeni Youth in Business Competition, Siyasebenza SMME workshops and ImbokodoIyazenzela Women in Business â€" work collectively to promote the development of township enterprises, co-operatives and SMMEs. In the past three years, Ithala has funded 684 business. The organisation disbursed R875 million, creating 7 917 jobs. Women-owned enterprises comprise 28% of Ithala’s loan book while youth businesses make up 39%. The workshops are packed with inspirational talks, advice, direction and opportunities for youth, women in communities, current business people and those who aspire to get into business. So informative and impactful was the workshop in Newcastle that attendees were asking when the next one will be held. Siyabonga Mbatha, 26, from Madadeni in Newcastle said: “The importance of having a business account and marketing your business became clearer to me when I attended the workshop.†Mbatha is the owner of Onics which manufactures bags from plastic, fabric and leather. “The workshop helped us overcome our fears and was packed with information from various speakers who are experienced in business matters,†he said. “Havinglimited funds to purchase stock is a currentbusiness challenge. I am also struggling to market my bags. People prefer to support the more established shops rather than buy from me even though I manufacture the same standard of product. “My goal is to own a place where I can continue my business of manufacturing and havea growing client base.†Mr Dlamini, 74, also fromMadadeni has been running his business for four years. His company whose name is not formally established, manufactures shoes, casual and formal wear and specialises in school wear. “I started this business because I couldn’t bear to see children going to school barefoot. Now I wish to partner with schools to impart my knowledge of shoe making,†he said. “Attending the workshopwas a way of helping me to advance the idea and get the help that I needed.†To take advantage of the information sharing workshops and to elevate your business idea to the next level, several upcoming workshops will be held: 1. Empangeni& Richards Bay: 16 &17 May 2017, Empangeni Town Hall 2. Umuziwabantu&Harding: 23 & 24 May 2017, Umuziwabantu Town Hall 3. Port Shepstone: June 2017 (See press for further details) 4. Jozini: June 2017 (See press for further details) 5. Manguzi: July 2017 (See press for further details) 6. Pietermaritzburg: July 2017 (See press for further details) 7. Durban: July 2017 (See press for further details) For enquiries, call 031 907 8656 or email smazibuko@ithala.co.za Issued by: Ithala Development Finance Corporation 29 Canal Quay Road, Point Waterfront, Durban |
Ithala Development Finance Corporation - Generous Support For 'My Business Indaba" Workshop In Newcastle
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